Work Permit Canada
Learn about the different types of work permits; how to apply for one, what to do if it expires, and where to get help if you need qualified assistance.
Article Navigation:
- Open Work Permit Canada
- New Rules Of Open Work Permit Eligibility
- How to Apply for an Open Work Permit
- Open Work Permit Fees
- Work Permit Consultant in Edmonton
- Employer-Specific Work Permits
- What is Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- LMIA Employer Services
- Work Permit Canada Processing Time
- Work Permit Duration
- What to Do if My Work Permit Already Expired or Will Soon Expire?
- Bridging Work Permit
- What is the Difference Between a Work Permit and a Temporary Resident Visa?
- Does a Work Permit Allow Me To Travel To and From Canada?
- Why My Work Permit Application Can Be Refused
What is a Work Permit?
A work permit is an official document issued by the government of Canada, allowing foreign workers to legally work in the country. Canadian work experience counts towards your overall score in your permanent residence application.
Work permits can be of major types: open permits and employer-specific permits.
Open work permits do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Employer-specific permits can be of two types: with or without LMIA.
As their names suggest, open permits allow candidates to apply for any position, with any employer or several employers at the same time for a fixed duration of time.
Working for a Canadian employer adds to your Canadian work experience, which in turn leads to higher chances of becoming a Canadian permanent resident or Canadian citizen.
Open Work Permit Canada
This type of work permit is available to the following categories of applicants:
- International students who have graduated from Canadian colleges or universities (Post-Graduation Work Permit, or PGWP)
- Spousal Sponsorship from Inside of Canada
- Spouses/partners of full-time students and skilled foreign workers
- Foreign nationals who have applied and are waiting for their permanent residence status (the so-called Bridging Open Work Permit, or BOWP)
- Young people who want to travel and work through the International Experience Canada Program (IEC). Check here to see if your country is eligible.
New Rules Of Open Work Permit Eligibility (As of January 21, 2025)
As of January 21, 2025, significant updates have been made to the eligibility requirements for obtaining an open work permit in Canada. These updates primarily affect spouses of foreign workers and international students, as well as dependent children of foreign nationals.
What’s Changed?
- Spouses of foreign workers can now apply for an open work permit only if the primary worker holds a position in certain high-skilled occupations (classified under TEER 0, 1, or select TEER 2 and 3 occupations) and has at least 16 months remaining on their current work permit.
- Spouses of international students will be eligible only if the student is enrolled in a Master’s, PhD, or specific professional degree program.
- Dependent children will no longer qualify for open work permits under the new rules.
What does this mean for you?
- If submitted before January 21, 2025, your application would be processed under the old eligibility criteria.
- If you already have an open work permit, it will remain valid until it expires, and the new rules will not impact your status.
Updated Eligibility Criteria
- Spouses of Foreign Workers
To be eligible for an open work permit, the primary worker must hold a job in specific high-skilled occupations (listed under TEER 0, 1, and select TEER 2 and 3 roles), such as:
- TEER 0 and 1: high-level management positions, IT professionals, engineers, architects, professors, etc.
- TEER 2: skilled technicians in fields like engineering, healthcare, electrical, and mechanical work.NOC numbers of occupations can be found in the link.
- TEER 3: occupations such as nurses, paramedics, truck drivers, and heavy equipment operators.
Have at least 16 months remaining on their valid work permit at the time the spouse applies.
- Spouses of International Students
Eligibility for spouses of international students is now more limited. To qualify, the student must or be enrolled in one of the following programs:
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
- Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Law (JD, LLB, BCL)
- Doctor of Optometry (OD)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BN)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BASc)
You must provide proof of current enrollment (such as a valid acceptance letter or recent academic transcript) from a recognized Canadian institution .
How to Apply for an Open Work Permit
Work Permit Consultant in Edmonton
Work with the best work permit consultant in Edmonton to apply for and receive your work permit as a foreign worker. We will review your situation and determine the best strategy to apply and then be approved for a work permit.
LIVIN Immigration specializes in filing work permit applications for candidates as well as filing LMIA applications with the Government. If you are an employer looking to hire a foreign worker and do not know where to start contact us for the initial consultation!
Open Work Permit Fees:
The total cost of a work permit is CAD$255, which breaks down as follows:
- work permit fee (CAD$155);
- open work permit holder fee (CAD$100).
Employer-Specific Work Permits
Most work permits issued in Canada are employer-specific. Such permits allow applicants to work only for one employer during a set duration of time. Employer-specific valid work permits can be issued with or without the LMIA requirement.
Programs that don’t require an LMIA, but require a job offer or a contract:
- International Mobility Program (IMP)
- NAFTA Work Permits
- CETA Work Permits
- Intra-Company Transfers
Programs that require LMIA:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
- Facilitated LMIA (Quebec)
- Global Talent Stream
If you want to come to Canada to work temporarily please contact us for more information, we will help you choose the right program and fill out your application.
What is Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?
A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document issued by the Canadian government that confirms there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents available to fill a specific job. As a result, the employer can hire a foreign worker for the position.
If an employer receives a positive LMIA, it means they have successfully demonstrated that they are experiencing labour shortage and a foreign worker is required for the job. After obtaining a positive LMIA, the foreign worker can then proceed to apply for a work permit to work in Canada.
LMIA Employer Services
LIVIN Immigration has a background of successful Canadian work permit and LMIA applications and our applicants have worked in a variety of markets and industries in Canada. We have helped both employers and employees grow the Canadian economy and we are planning to continue.
What is the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)?
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is a provincial immigration initiative designed to attract skilled workers, entrepreneurs and others to settle in Alberta, Canada. It offers a variety of streams designed to meet Alberta’s labour market needs and support economic growth.
The program includes the Alberta Opportunity Stream, which targets foreign workers with a job offer in Alberta, the Alberta Express Entry Stream, which aligns with Canada’s federal Express Entry system, and streams for international graduates, self-employed farmers and rural communities.
For instance, individuals with a work permit Alberta may be eligible for certain streams, allowing them to apply for permanent residency through a provincial nomination. Successful applicants who are nominated under the AAIP can then apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency.
Who And How Can Apply to AAIP?
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is open to a broad range of applicants, including skilled workers, entrepreneurs, international graduates, and self-employed farmers. Each stream has specific eligibility criteria. For example:
- Skilled workers: applicants with a valid job offer in Alberta or those currently working in the province on a work permit Alberta may qualify under the Alberta Opportunity Stream.
- Entrepreneurs and farmers: individuals with relevant experience looking to invest in or establish a business in Alberta may apply through streams such as the Rural Entrepreneur Stream or the Farm Stream.
- International graduates: graduates from post-secondary institutions outside of Canada can apply through the Graduate Entrepreneur Stream if they intend to start a business in the province.
Starting September 30, 2024, anyone interested in Alberta’s worker immigration streams must first submit a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI). This is a free online form where applicants provide details about their skills and experience. Based on this information, Alberta assigns a score and ranks candidates. Those with the highest scores may be selected in regular draws and receive an invitation to apply. If selected, candidates can then apply for a provincial nomination, which may lead to permanent residency.It is very important to remember that the applicant must be eligible for at least one of AAIP streams.
Work Permit Canada Processing Time
For applicants outside of Canada: depends on the country you are applying from.
Work permit extensions inside Canada : 112 Days as of March 2025
To get exact timings please visit this link. It is usually updated weekly.
What to Do if My Work Permit Already Expired or Will Soon Expire?
If you are still in Canada and your work permit expired, it means you are no longer allowed to work in Canada and must therefore stop working.
From here, you can apply for a new work permit or extend your existing permit. To maintain your legal status, we recommend that you apply for an extension of your work permit, even if it’s about to expire. According to local laws, this will help you maintain your legal status until a decision is made by the authorities.
Work permit extensions are usually processed within 112 days, which effectively gives you an additional 6 months of being able to legally work in Canada. Keep in mind you will have to restore your status as a worker if your work permit has already expired and you are in a 90-day window from the expiry date.
Bridging Work Permit
A bridging work permit is a temporary work permit allowing you to continue working legally in Canada. This type of permit is issued to holders of previously issued work permits in good standing, allowing them to continue their work in Canada while waiting to get their permanent residence status. Generally the longer you have worked in Canada under your work permit, the higher the chances to get your permanent residence.
Your bridge work permit can be issued if you apply for permanent residence under one of these programs:
- Permanent residence using Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Quebec skilled workers
- Home Child-Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot
- Caring for children class or caring for people with high medical needs class
- Agri-Food Pilot
What is the Difference Between a Work Permit and a Temporary Resident Visa?
A work permit is authorization to work legally in Canada.
A Temporary Resident Visa is authorization to travel/enter to Canada.
Once you have received your work permit, you will also need to apply for and acquire a temporary resident visa (if you are from a visa-required country) to be able to physically board the plane and come to Canada. Having a work permit doesn’t automatically grant you the right to come to Canada or leave the country. To check if you are from a visa-required country check the below link.
Does a Work Permit Allow Me To Travel To and From Canada?
No, it doesn’t give you the right to travel to Canada. A work permit only allows you to legally work in Canada.
Along with a work permit Canada, you will separately need either a temporary resident visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA).
Why My Work Permit Application Can Be Refused?
A work permit application can be refused for several reasons:
- If you fail to prove your intention to return to your home country after your permit expires.
- If documents are missing or forms are filled out incorrectly.
- If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria, like having a valid job offer or enough financial support.
- If the job requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and the employer did not obtain a positive LMIA.
- If you do not meet the specific requirements for the type of work permit you applied for, such as lack of required qualifications or experience.
- If there are concerns about your health or criminal background.
- If you provided false information or misrepresented yourself.
- If you provided fraudulent supporting documents.
Moreover, If the employer is ineligible to hire foreign workers or has violated past regulations, the work permit may be rejected.
Can I Include My Spouse and Dependents on My Work Permit Application?
Yes, in most cases, you can include your spouse and dependents in your work permit application, but there are specific conditions to meet if they want to work, study or just come as visitors.
For example:
- Spouse: your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit if you have a valid work permit and meet certain criteria. For example, your spouse may be eligible if you are working in a high-skilled occupation (such as TEER 0, 1, or select TEER 2 and 3 occupations) and have at least 16 months left on your work permit.
- Dependents: dependent children (under 22) may be able to come with you to Canada, but they typically cannot apply for a work permit unless they meet specific conditions. However, they can attend school or college while in Canada on a study permit, depending on their age and your situation.
The exact eligibility depends on the type of work permit you are applying for, your job’s nature, and whether you meet certain criteria under Canada’s immigration rules.
Additionally, family member’s eligibility depends on whether the principal applicant is on a pathway or has already applied for permanent residence.
You can use a tool in the link to check if your spouse or common-law partner qualify for an open work permit.
